The Ultimate Guide for an Awesome Visit to Singapore Zoo

Ton Lichauco

Last updated 14 Nov 2024

Image credits to Klook

A day at the Zoo in Singapore

Heads up, animal lovers! Home to about 2,400 creatures from over 300 different species — from mammals to reptiles—discover what makes Singapore Zoo a truly memorable experience. Set aside a full day to explore this vibrant “rainforest zoo”!

Getting your Singapore Zoo tickets

You can purchase Singapore Zoo tickets online on Klook. Onsite tickets are currently unavailable as the ticketing booths are closed for the time being, hence we recommend booking online—it’s easy, hassle-free, and you won’t have to queue!

PSA: You can use your Singapore Rediscovers vouchers for when you book Singapore Zoo tickets!

Go coocoo at the Singapore Zoo!

Singapore Zoo Opening Hours

You can visit Singapore Zoo every day of the year, from 8.30am to 6pm (last entry at 5.30pm). Do note that you now have to book your time slot online before visiting the Singapore Zoo. You can head here to book your time slot.

How to get to the Singapore Zoo

Getting to the Singapore Zoo is pretty straightforward—whether by public transport, shuttle service bus, or car.

By MRT & bus: Take the North South Line and transfer to these public shuttle service buses that will take you right to the parks.

Choa Chu Kang (NS4) : 927
Ang Mo Kio (NS16) : 138

By bus: Hop on to the Mandai Express at Khatib MRT station, Tampines, Bedok or Sengkang for convenient transport straight to the Zoo.

Address: 80 Mandai Lake Road Singapore Zoological Gardens, Singapore 729826 Singapore

Hit the Singapore Zoo, River Safari and Night Safari all in one day

This park is located right next to the River Safari—take on both the Singapore Zoo and River Safari to maximize your trip to Mandai wildlife reserve! If you’re game, you can plan your visit such that you’ll be able to head to the Night Safari right after they open at 7.15pm, to hit all three Singapore attractions in one day.

And here’s some good news, all three parks are eligible for the Singapore Rediscovers Vouchers! For the best savings, get the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Safari, Jurong Bird Park Multi-Park Bundle, which includes a visit to the lively Jurong Bird Park.

Go wild as you visit the best zoos of Singapore!

Singapore Zoo Do's and Don'ts

Before we get to what you can expect at the Singapore Zoo, here are some simple do's and don'ts that you would want to take note of to make your visit even more awesome:

Do: Come prepared with all the essentials you need for a full day out in the sun.

Don't: Bring any flammable or dangerous items.

To maximize your fun with the animals, bring items that will keep you dry, hydrated, energized, and safe. However, you should not bring any dangerous items into the zoo, as this could harm the wildlife residents and other visitors. Examples of these would include lighters, drones, and frisbees.

Do: Wear your seatbelts when on a zoo ride and take safety precautions.

Don't: Bring or ride scooters, skateboards, roller skates, and bikes inside the zoo.

The Singapore Zoo offers safe and efficient means to travel from zone to zone. That said, to avoid accidents, the zoo doesn't allow the use of the items above inside the premises. Cyclists and skaters can park their bikes and skateboards outside the zoo at the designated parking area.

Do: Check out the zoo's social media accounts.

Don't: Record inside the zoo without management's consent and take flash photography.

The Singapore Zoo posts everything you can expect in your visit on their social media accounts and website. Liking and sharing these posts can boost the zoo's reach, so it's definitely a good idea. What's not is recording without permission and taking flash photography. While the former may have legal implications, the latter can harm the animals.

Do: Study the zoo's map and explore to your heart's content.

Don't: Enter dangerous zones that house life-threatening animals.

While most of the zoo is open to the public, there are some spots you can't visit for safety reasons. At the end of the day, some of the animals are dangerous, and the zookeepers have gone to great lengths to keep them a safe distance from the general public.

Singapore Zoo Highlights

With so many different species within the Zoo, there are a ton of enclosures, natural habitats, and wildlife attractions to explore.

Be prepared to walk! Or alternatively...

Take a ride on the Singapore Zoo tram

To explore the wildlife attractions at a more relaxed pace, Singapore Zoo offers a free tram ride that takes you on a wild discoverer tour across its different zones. Aboard these wildlife tours, you'll get an audio commentary about the natural habitat enclosures you’re passing.

Hop off whenever you’d like to take a closer look and explore, and hop back on whenever you’re ready to head to the next destination. It's the perfect activity for children, adults, and senior citizens to enjoy together!

The ticket price of Adult tickets is $5, while child tickets are priced at $3 (3-12 years old) — book your tickets here!

Singapore Zoo animals to spot

Here are some of our favorite critters from the Singapore Zoo!

Adorable meerkats. Fun fact: A group of meerkats is called a mob.

The fierce-looking cheetah with her supple body and long slender limbs.

Gorgeous White Tiger sibling duo, Pasha and Keysa, descended from the first white tiger cub that was caught in India. All white tigers around the world are his descendants.

The Asian Elephant enclosure is home to the Zoo’s herd of five female elephants, three of which were ambling around the enclosure the day we visited. Experience elephant feeding, and watch them use their nimble trucks to grab leaves off the ground. We even spotted one of them using a branch to shoo away a couple of curious mynahs that got too close!

Reptopia

As its name suggests, Reptopia is the Singapore Zoo’s reptile garden. Here, you’ll find over 60 different species of reptiles and amphibians across the different natural habitats. Look out for the Panther Chameleon—these vibrant reptiles from Madagascar are one of the most colorful chameleon species on the planet.

Singapore Zoo shows to catch

The website recommends that visitors arrive 15 minutes early to catch each of the Singapore Zoo shows—however, we found that queues were forming up to 45 minutes before the showtimes due to the limited seating capacity. Do make plans to arrange your visit around the shows that you really want to watch!

Splash Safari (10:30am and 5pm)

You’ll have a roaring good time at the Splash Safari show, which features the Zoo’s playful Californian sea lions. Watch them glide through the waters and perform balancing tricks at the Shaw Foundation Amphitheatre—stay till the end for a chance to receive a wave (and a huge splash) from these adorable sea lions!

Animal Friends (1:30pm and 4pm)

Perfect for kids and animal lovers alike, Animal Friends at the Rainforest Kidzworld Amphitheatre features super-smart and well-trained animals like dogs, cats and even mice—many of which were once abandoned domestic pets. This show aims to inspire visitors to love and care for all animals, whether in the wild or at home.

Rainforest Fights Back (12pm and 2:30pm)

One of the most popular and action-packed shows at the Shaw Foundation Amphitheatre, Rainforest Fights Back features a troop of intelligent creatures—from the surprisingly nimble coatimundis to slithery corn snakes. Beyond the entertaining performances, this show is a shout-out to the importance of the zoo's conservation efforts and why it's important to protect these animals’ environments.

Singapore Zoo feeding times

Don’t miss out on the chance to get up close and personal with your favorite animals—by feeding them, no less. The zoo offers five different feeding sessions that happen at different times: elephants feeding, giraffe feeding, goat feeding, white rhinoceros feeding, and giant tortoise feeding! Food portions at each of the animal feedings cost $5—pretty worth for the experience and photo ops.

Do note that you now HAVE to book your feeding time slot in advance before heading there. Head here to make your bookings prior to your trip, and to see the different feeding times for the animals. Book as early as you can, because the limited slots sell out fast (FYI: this is so the animals don’t get overfed).

Bonus: Conquer the heights at the Houbii Spot

Located in the center of the world-renowned Zoological Garden overlooking the Lower Seletar Reservoir, this exhilarating rope course is perfect for both kids and kids-at-heart to take on a challenge. With stunning views of the surrounding nature and park, this scenic adventure zone is definitely worth a go.

Equipment and rope course are maintained daily, and there are plenty of skilled professionals on standby to guide you through the ropes safely. Don’t forget to get your friends or family to help you snap some pics while you’re ascending to the top!

For a seamless check-in, you can purchase an adult and child ticket online!

Embark on a wild adventure at Houbii spot!

Singapore Zoo Restaurants and Dining

Food at the Zoo Entrance

KFC
Inuka Cafe
Ah Meng Kitchen
Chawang Bistro

Dining within the Zoo

Ah Meng Restaurant
Ah Meng Bistro
KFC @ Rainforest Kidzworld

Singapore Zoo Gift Shops

There are three gift shops scattered around the Singapore Zoo premises, where you can pick up tokens and cuddly stuffed toys. The main gift shop is located at the Zoo’s entrance, while the other two are at the Shaw Amphitheatre and Rainforest Kidzworld.

Opening hours can be found here.

Singapore Zoo Amenities

Toilets and Lockers

If you’d like to store your bags, there is a line of lockers near the entrance of the Singapore Zoo, just next to the Ticket and Wildlife Experiences counters. The zoo has several toilets and water points as well.

Strollers are available for rent at $15, and wagons that fit up to two kids are also available at $18. Wheelchairs are complimentary and electric scooters are available as well at $20 for the first three hours and $5 for every subsequent hour, for visitors who require mobility aids.

Let out the animal in you at Singapore Zoo!

Visiting the zoo never gets old! Whether you're a kid or someone who just loves animals, you're in for a blast when you visit the Singapore Zoo. Your visit will not only support the conservation efforts of these animals, but it will also brighten up their day. But if you're spending more than a day in Singapore, check out our guides below to discover more activities to do with your family. We assure you that you won't get bored in the Lion City!

🇸🇬 Singapore Travel Essentials 🇸🇬

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